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Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Ronde Barber had a viral cheering section before the NFL officially announced his membership in the 2023 Hall of Fame class on Thursday, February 9.
His daughter, Justyce, got her college women’s lacrosse team at William & Mary cheering “Ronde” repeatedly in a viral video shared by the Bucs. The tweet hit more than 50,7000 views as of Friday.
Ronde Barber’s wait for the Hall of Fame ended on Thursday after a six-year wait since his first year of eligibility in 2017. Barber made first-team All-Pro three times, five Pro Bowls, and he helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl in 2003. He finished his 16-year Bucs career with 1,251 tackles, 28 sacks, 47 interceptions, 15 forced fumbles, and 14 touchdowns.
“It feels pretty awesome. I’m in awe at this whole process. And they say ‘you wait a while’ but I don’t feel like I waited a while,” Barber told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche after the announcement. “This feels right to me because, like we’ve talked about, when you came to my house a couple weeks ago, there’s so many deserving people.”
“When you’re in the conversation, you’re in the conversation for a reason, and I’m just glad to get over the line,” Barber added. “It’s an indefinite end, but you know, when it hits that end, and that journey finishes, you’ve got to be excited about it. I’m excited about this.”
As was his daughter, family, friends, former Bucs, and the Bucs organization and fan base. Congratulatory posts flooded social media on Thursday night amid Barber’s selection.
“Whether he was lined up inside or out, blitzing the quarterback or playing the pass, he was always a problem,” Bucs Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Brooks said as he welcomed Barber to the stage for the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
Ex-Bucs Teammate John Lynch Sends Message to Ronde Barber
When former Bucs safety John Lynch got inducted into the Hall of Fame, he said “Ronde Barber, your time’s coming man” and “you’re going to be here” during the 2021 ceremony.
Lynch retweeted the moment on Thursday before the 2023 Hall of Fame class announcement with the comment “feeling it” and good luck tonight RB”. Barber responded on Twitter afterward with, “I can officially say it now, John Lynch … my forever teammate”.
Lynch also joined fellow Bucs Hall of Fame members in a video congratulating Barber. That included linebacker Warren Sapp, Brooks, and former head coach Tony Dungy.
“It’s about time, and I say that from the bottom of my heart. We get to be teammates again on the greatest team in football — the Hall of Fame,” Lynch added.
Ronde Barber Snubbed for Years
After Barber missed his third shot at the Hall of Fame in 2020, Bucs insider Greg Auman, with The Athletic at the time, delved into Barber’s case for the hall.
Auman immediately highlighted that Barber is the only NFL player ever with more than 45 interceptions and 25 sacks. Current corners haven’t come close to those totals, and only Hall of Famer Charles Woodson cracked 40 picks and 20 sacks in his career, Auman noted.
“The combination speaks to how Barber was used as a defensive Swiss Army knife, a player who redefined the nickel corner position,” Auman wrote.
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